Nearly 30 men have signed up to grow their whiskers to benefit the Cheryl R. Lindenbaum Comprehensive Cancer Center. While it may be too late to join the whisker-growing competition, it’s not too late to support a contestant. Sponsorships are still available. Visit www.hvhc.org to find out more.

Competition has been fierce in the final weeks. A group of employees from the Firehouse Grill in Peekskill are growing their beards for the cause as well as hospital physicians and other employees. Vying for the two top fundraising spots are two Hospital vice presidents, William Dauster, vice president of marketing and development, and Edmund Coletti, vice president of facilities. Dauster has pulled ahead, raising $3,075, surpassing his goal of $3,000. Coletti has raised $1,960, very close to making his $2,000 goal. The total raised thus far is $11,262.

The contest began March 1. Each participant snapped a clean shaven photo of themselves to record the progress. Photos of participants are posted on the HVHC Facebook page along with competition updates. To support a favorite contestant, visit www.hvhc.org and click on the beard icon on the homepage.

Those who contribute more than $100 will get free admission to The “Beard Bash” sponsored by the Peekskill Brewery in the Tap Room of its new location on South Water Street on April 1 from 5 to 8 p.m. The event will be open to the public for a donation of $25 at the door and awards will be given for Most Money Raised, Wildest Beard, Longest Beard, and Most Creative Fundraising Tactics.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Information can be found on the event website or by calling the HVHC Foundation Office at 914-734-3526.

Robert Brum, assistant metro editor for Northern Westchester and Putnam, joined The Journal News in 1991. He was a copy editor in the paper's Harrison newsroom and night city editor in the Yonkers/Mount Vernon bureau before working in the Rockland newsroom from 1998 to 2011. He is now the local editor for the Putnam-Northern Westchester bureau. A graduate of Ramapo High School and SUNY Brockport, Brum lives in Westchester.